“You’re so sensitive.” I’ve heard that a lot throughout the years and you know what?
Yes. I am a sensitive person, and I’ve worked really hard to give myself permission to be in tune with my feelings. Even if I had trouble interpreting someone else’s emotions, I could sense and feel them as my own.
Image from @fotobienephoto on Unsplash
Growing up, I was told by classmates that I needed to “lighten up” as if being sensitive were a negative trait or character flaw. As a late diagnosed autistic individual, I now know that being autistic and sensitive often go hand in hand. I think there’s a misconception that autistic individuals are incapable of feeling empathy. I don’t think that’s the case at all. Autism is a spectrum and the degree to which autistic individuals can feel empathy is a spectrum as well.
In retrospect, I wonder when did being sensitive get a bad reputation and why does being sensitive tend to make others uncomfortable? After all, Jesus showed us how to use gifts like sensitivity, empathy and compassion for the Kingdom of God. When Jesus took on a human form, he put himself in our shoes. Jesus was high and lifted up but he came down to Earth as a human being because he was sensitive towards us, and felt empathetic about the condition of our souls. He knew there was no way we could save ourselves from sin, so he sacrificed himself to pay our debts.
During his ministry, Jesus’s awareness of the human condition often lead to him feeling empathetic towards us and being moved by compassion. He was lead by compassion to teach crowds (Matthew 9:36), to forgive the guilty (Luke 7:47-48), and to give the marginalized mercy (Luke 8:40-48). Because Jesus knows what it’s like to be human, we have a Savior who sits at the right hand of God who feels empathy towards us because he’s been in our shoes.
Jesus was sensitive to the human condition, felt empathy towards us and then acted with compassion and went to the cross for us. So how then, do we utilize gifts like sensitivity, empathy, and compassion for the Kingdom of God in today’s world? Let’s look at the framework Jesus laid out for us:
Allow ourselves to become sensitive to the state of the human condition in marginalized communities - For a lot of us, this means slowing down and having conversations with people who may not look like us or even live near us. This means tearing any walls of division down and opening ourselves up to learning from others. Instead of thinking “this has nothing to do with me” we think “I wonder how I would feel if that happened to me.”
Make Compassion a Habit – It’s not enough to be compassionate towards others once, twice or every now and then. Jesus demonstrated that this should be an intentional way of life for us. Jesus often showed compassion to those he was teaching, people he met in passing and by giving up his life as a sacrifice for us. We are to seek opportunities that allow us to respond compassionately.
Act with compassion - We can’t stop at feeling empathetic, we have to be moved by compassion in order to help build the Kingdom of God. We have to get out of our comfort zones and be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Jesus showed us that not only is sensitivity a gift, but it makes way for empathy which opens the door to move compassionately on behalf of others. So, if you’re like me and have been told you’re “too sensitive” when you feel for others, I pray you take that amazing gift to God in prayer and let him show you how you can use it to help build the Kingdom of God.
Hi! My name is Denea Marable, and I was diagnosed with autism as an adult over five years ago, along with OCD and ADHD in 2023. My personal testimony is how God has used my neurodivergence to not only deepen my relationship with him, testify of his grace and love to others but to accept myself. I know what it’s like to navigate this world as a neurodivergent adult. Reading the Bible, spending time with God and creating holy habits have helped me find my way to this journey of self-acceptance and I want to help others do the same. I’ve been a Christian for most of my life and am passionate about God and the Bible. I’m currently in seminary getting an Advanced Certificate in Biblical Studies. I love teaching the Bible, writing and encouraging other Christian neurodivergents to grow in their faith.
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